'Harry Potter' Star Evanna Lynch Says People Still Identify Her As Luna Lovegood

Evanna Lynch
Evanna Lynch |

Evanna Lynch was only 14 years old when she was chosen to play the quirky Luna Lovegood in the "Harry Potter" series, and even though it has already been several years since she played Harry Potter's friend and ally, Lynch admits that people still identify her with the character.

"People still call me Luna," she laughingly shared to UTV Ireland. A lot of other actors and actresses might be displeased when people only associate them with a singular role, but Lynch does not mind since the role opened up a lot of opportunities for her as an actress.

"I wouldn't be where I am without it. I was very shy when I was young and I think it's really hard to be shy as an actor, because you have to be quite aggressive and get out there. You have to want to meet people and for them to see you. It's only opened doors for me. It's up to me if I want to change it or challenge it," she said.

Lynch revealed that she auditioned for Luna not because she wanted to build a career as an actress, but because she believed that she was just like Luna in every way, and famed "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling felt the same way when she heard Lynch speak.

And despite her awkwardness, Lynch did wonders in her audition. "I didn't get nervous the way I sometimes do now, because I was 14 and I absolutely loved the films and books. I didn't think of the pressure and what people expected of it; I was just enjoying it so much. Sometimes I look back and I'm glad I was so naïve! But I'm grateful that I had that," she said.

The actress is pretty excited that there would be an upcoming London play called "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," and she appreciates the fact that Rowling is keeping the wizarding world alive.

"I don't think she wants to move on either. I love that she's always reinventing it or finding new ways into it," Lynch mulled.

As for the spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," which stars Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne, the actress expressed her desire to be a part of the film, even just as "some creature so you can't see my face, but I'm there."

"I'm fascinated by that world and to see what the wizards are like with American accents. I'd love to be in it but I think I have my place in the universe," she concluded.